August 3, 2015
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America Educational Institute Standards Task Team announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has recognized the updated ANSI/ACCA 5 QI (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) Standard.
Drawing on an extensive committee – comprised of volunteers from mechanical contractors, utility program administrators, original equipment manufacturers, State and Federal entities, allied associations, and other interested stakeholders – the prior 2010 standard was revised to include new procedures / approaches, streamline the instruction set, clarify language, and update references / citations.
The revised ACCA 5 QI - 2015 Standard recognizes that a quality installation is more than just using high-efficiency products and systems. The correct design, proper installation, and final testing have a large impact on occupant satisfaction and energy savings. The standard defines a level of performance that, if satisfactorily achieved, serves as an indicator that sound industry practices were followed during the design and equipment installation phases. The core areas that characterize a quality installation are the design aspects, equipment installation aspects, distribution aspects, and system documentation and owner education aspects.
The Standard details the nationally-recognized minimum criteria for the proper installation of HVAC systems in residential and commercial applications. Its requirements are applicable to the following equipment types:
- Unitary air conditioners, air-source/water-source heat pumps, and geothermal heat pumps;
- Furnaces (gas-fired, oil-fired, electrics, and other);
- Boilers (gas-fired, oil-fired, electric, and other).
Also updated is the Technician’s Guide & Workbook for Quality Installation; it was revised to reflect the changes made in the QI Standard – 2015. The Guide & Workbook is ‘user guide’ that supports technicians implementing the ACCA 5 QI Standard in the field as well as being a valuable teaching tool that can be used in a classroom environment.
Interested persons can download a free copy of ANSI/ACCA 5 QI - 2015 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) at www.acca.org/standards/quality. Printed copies of the QI Standard and the Technician’s Guide & Workbook are sold through the ACCA bookstore at www.acca.org/store.